Human Wildlife Solutions
Monthly Report
November 2015
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. REPORTING PERIOD
3
B. BABOON MANAGEMENT AND RAID REPORTING
3
SOUTH EAST REGION
1. Smitswinkel Troop
3
2. Waterfall Troop
5
3. Da Gama Troops (DG)
7
Births and Deaths
10
Recommendations
10
SOUTH WEST REGION
1. Groot Olifantsbos Troop (GOB)
10
2. Misty Cliffs Troop
11
3. Slangkop Troop
12
Births and Deaths
15
Recommendations
15
NORTH REGION
1. Tokai Main Troop
15
2. Zwaanswyk Troop
18
3. Constantia Troop
19
4. Mountain Troop
21
Births and Deaths
22
Recommendations
22
C. GENERAL COMMENTS ON ALL BABOON TROOPS
Population Data
22
Hotline Data
24
Percentage Time Out of Town
25
Conclusion
26
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HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
A. INTRODUCTION
This monthly report covers the period 24 October until 27 November 2015. Like last month, the
behaviour of the managed baboons was typical of early summer with very few raids taking place. This
was because there was plenty of natural forage available in the fynbos, with numerous plants either
flowering or fruiting. There were also relatively few hotline calls this month, with only 57 calls being
made from managed areas.
However, despite these good signs, the average time (98.2% of time) the baboons spent out of town
was much lower than last month (99.4%). This average drop in time out of town is entirely due to
behaviour of the Misty Cliffs Troop which spent only 82.3% of their time out of town. The remaining
troops spent a record average of 99.97% of their time out of town.
Over the past four years the Misty Cliffs Troop population has halved from 18 down to nine. The fact
that the Misty Cliffs Troop is so reduced, and now so keen to seek refuge in Scarborough is a problem
that urgently needs to be addressed, and is discussed in more detail later in this report.
B. BABOON MANAGEMENT AND RAID REPORTING
South Eastern Region – Area Manager: Ziggy Rode
1. Smitswinkel Troop
Since the dispersal of SWB8 on 6 October, the troop has moved south and has remained in the southern
section of their home range for the duration of the reporting period. There are few attractants in this
area, and therefore the troop has remained out of the urban area for 100% of the time.
There have been a few fights between a young sub-adult male baboon and SWB6; this seemed to be
due to the young male attempting to mate with some of the lower ranking females. Neither of the
males sustained any serious injuries during these fights.
On the afternoon of 18 November a veld fire started in the Klawer Valley and moved in an easterly
direction up the mountain. It was brought under control by 19:00, however due to strong winds during
the night; the fire flared up and moved over the mountain towards Murdock Valley and Rocklands Farm.
Page 3 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
During this period the baboons were utilizing the central part of their home range, south of Millers
Point. Rangers held the line and prevented the troop from moving north towards the fire.
Figure 1: Red area indicating the fire that swept through Murdock Valley and Rocklands Farm.
SECTOR
SOUTH EAST
BABOON TROOP:
SMITS
MONTH: November
YEAR: 2015
BABOON ID
SWB6
Troop
UnID Individuals
UnID Fem
SWBF1
UnID Male
UnID Juveniles
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
TOTAL
F
F
M
Troop
Individuals
%
0.0
0.0
Roost:
Roost:
AM
PM
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
5
3
Roost Sites
ID Features of Baboons
3
2
2 5 3 6
5 3 6 5
1 Smits Caves
6 Castle Rock
5
6
6
2
2
3
3 2 4 4 3
2 4 4 3 2
2 Partridge Point
7 SANParks
2
2
2 2 2 3
2 2 6 2
3 Bluegums
8
2
1
1
2
HRS
0.00
0.00
2 4 5 2 2
4 5 2 2 3
4 Millers Point
9
3
4
6 4 1 6 4
4 1 6 4 6
5 Rocklands Farm
10
6
3
3
4
4
5
SWB6 - red/blue tags + collar.
General remarks
Figure 2: Smitswinkel Troop raid sheet for November 2015.
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HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
2. Waterfall Troop
The Waterfall Troop stayed south of the South African Naval Ammunition Depot (SANAD) for the entire
month. Only TK19, TK42 and WFF4 made three excursions into the urban area, spending only 0.5% of
time in town.
Currently the most difficult animal to manage in this troop is TK19. He often sleeps away from the
troop, preferring to spend most days by himself. This results in one member of the ranger team having
to stay with him, preventing him from entering the urban area.
It was hoped that with time he would settle into the troop. However, he seems to go through cycles of
spending time with the troop and then choosing to spend time on his own. Through this reporting
period he has predominantly been by himself and has occasionally been joined by WFF4 and/or TK42.
TK42 has settled in well with the troop and has taken on the role of alpha male very well. He has also
been seen mating with the females which is a very promising sign as he will introduce new genes into
the troop. The biggest challenge for management is to keep him from raiding so that he can remain a
non-raiding male. This in turn means that waste management, especially around SANAD, becomes a
major concern for the management of this troop. It is now essential that the waste is managed properly
and that the bins are baboon-proofed because this will stop attracting baboons into the facility.
On 18 November, at the time of the fire (mentioned in the Smitswinkel section) the troop was on the
southern side of the Klaasjagersberg Mountain. HWS rangers held the line and ensured that the
baboons remained safely on the southern side of the Cape of Good Hope Nursery sleep site for the
remainder of the day.
The troop utilised the southern side of the sleep site on 18 and 19 November but started sleeping on
the northern side on 20 November. However, they utilized only the southern side of their home range
on the Cape of Good Hope Nursery side of the Mountain.
None of the baboons in the Waterfall Troop were harmed during the fires and they are utilising the
dense protea stacks on the southern slope of the mountain. They have been seen digging for bulbs as
well.
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HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Figure 3: Waterfall Troop movement for the November reporting period.
SECTOR
SOUTH EAST
BABOON TROOP:
WATERFALL
MONTH: November
YEAR: 2015
BABOON ID
Troop
TK19
TK42
WFF3
WFF4
UnID Females
UnID Juveniles
UnID Male
UnID Individuals
Troop
Individuals
Roost:
Roost:
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
M
F
F
F
6
5
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
4 Attacking Pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
2
2
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
2
2
6
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
M
%
0.0
0.5
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
25 60
5
TOTAL
0
6
9
0
3
2
0
0
0
HRS
0.00
1.50
AM 11 10 10 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 11 11
PM 10 10 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11
1 Waterfall Cliff
2 Happy Valley Mtn
3 Signal School
4 Waterfall Barracks
5 Mountain Residents side
6 Admiral footpath
7 Cape Farm House
8 Happy Valley Home
9 Red Hill
10 SANAD
Roost Sites
11 Mountain CoGHN
12 Gate 3 - Plateau Road
13 Rocklands Farm
14 North Peak
15 Bungalow
16 Rocklands Valley
17 Shamballah Pines
18
19
20
ID Features of Baboons
General remarks
TK42 - Collar & Blue/Yellow tags; TK19 - Collar & Red/White tags
Red indicates raiding inside South African Naval Ammunition Depot (SANAD) & Bold + Italics raiding on farms
Figure 4: Waterfall Troop raid sheet for November 2015.
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HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
3. Da Gama Troop
Despite October being a difficult month to manage the Da Gama Troop with the riots having continued
in Masiphumelele, the team in Da Gama did extremely well to keep the troop out of town. During the
end of October and November the troop stayed out of town 99.9% of the time and the only problem
remained to be with a few individuals.
On 6 October, SWB8 dispersed from the Smitswinkel Troop. He attempted to join the Plateau Road
Troop as well as the Waterfall Troop, but was pushed out of both of these troops by the resident males.
He was first seen close to the Da Gama Troop on 26 October, but he was chased away by DG15 and a
few other individuals. On 2 November, a hotline call was received for a single male in Glencairn. When
the field manager responded he discovered that it was SWB8. Later that afternoon, TK43 had left the
troop and was seen fighting with SWB8, during which TK43 sustained a cut on his shoulder.
SWB8 continued to follow the troop, but chose to sleep away from them. Several females would join
him during the day and then return to the troop. Several fights ensued between TK43 and SWB8;
however both males did not sustain any serious injuries during these fights.
On 12 November, SWB8 was seen sleeping with the troop for the first time. By the end of November,
TK43 and SWB8 had formed an ‘alliance’ (as male baboons don’t generally form coalitions as is found in
prides of lions), against SK3. The two males have started joining up in fights and chasing SK3. This is
causing considerable turmoil in the troop, but it seems to only occur in brief spells and then all the
males settle down again with SK3 now being the lowest ranked adult male.
The troop has slept at the flats and in the pine trees at the flats for the entire month, with the exception
of one night when they slept at the Witsand sleep site. The rangers have kept the troop up the
mountain the entire day, but the daylight hours are currently very long with the sun only setting at
19:51. This allows for enough daylight for the troop to still be active till at least 20:30.
The waste management at the flats has regressed again, after several weeks of good waste
management. The availability of waste, fruit on fruit trees and unprotected vegetable gardens in the
urban areas, remains a strong attractant for the baboons to return to town.
Page 7 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
3 November 2015
3 November 2015
Figure 5: Waste management at the Naval flats in Da Gama Park, where black refuse bags were left
outside the flats/garages.
The Navy have set a new system in place where each resident puts their own bin into their own garage
and bins only get put outside for bin collection on a Wednesday. This system was implemented
approximately two months ago and seemed to be going well, till recently. It was encouraging to see
that some of the residents seem to have also had enough of the dumping, see the picture below
(Figure ?).
3 November 2015
Figure 6: Signage put up by residents to urge others to stop dumping.
Page 8 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Figure 7: Da Gama troop movement, yellow lines indicating the troop and the red lines indicating the
raiding individuals, for the November reporting period.
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
SOUTH EAST
BABOON TROOP:
DA GAMA
MONTH: November
YEAR: 2015
BABOON ID
Troop
SK3
DG13 (W)
DG14 (O-G)
DG15 (R-W)
DG16
TK43 (W-W)
SWB8
DGF1
DGF2
DGF4
UnID Females
UnID Female
UnID Individuals
UnID Juvs
Troop
Indivduals
Roost:
Roost:
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
F
F
F
F
F
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
%
0.1
4.2 30 30
1
1
1
1
1
5
6
7
8
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
6
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
40 10 95
AM 1 1, 2 1 1 1, 2 1 1 1 1, 2
PM 1, 2 1 1 1, 2 1 1 1 1 1, 2
1 Flats
6 Compass Bakery
Roost Sites
11 Witsand
16 KL sleep site
21 16th Avenue, DG
ID Features of Baboons
4
1
1
2
2
1
General remarks
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
15
85
1, 2
1
2
7
12
17
22
32
1 1 1 1, 2 11
1 1 1, 2 11 2
Pines - Flats
Pines - Outspan
Slangkop
Maylands
Lewis Gay Dam
2
2
2
2
3
8
13
18
23
105
2 2 1, 2 1,2 1,2 1, 2
2 1, 2 1, 2 1,2 1, 2 1
Pines - Da Gama
Jacks Shop
Platkop
Elsies River Valley
Pinehaven
40 25 21
1
1
4
9
14
19
24
50
10 10
100
1 1, 2 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2
1, 2 1 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2 2
Pines - WG
Elsie's Peak
Rasta Camp
Red Hill / Windford
Kleinplaas Dam
2
1
5
10
15
20
25
122
1 2 1, 2 1, 3
2 1, 2 2
1
Sport Fields Stables
Rotary Camp
Ocean View
Grootkop
Scarborough
.
Bold & Italics - raiding not in urban area
Figure 8: Da Gama Troop raid sheet for November 2015.
Page 9 of 27
TOTAL
1
9
3
5
5
5
4
3
5
10
6
3
HRS
0.25
13.42
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Births and Deaths
1 new birth was recorded on 26 November in Da Gama Park.
Recommendations

An education and awareness campaign should be considered for Welcome Glen and Da Gama Park
to make residents aware of baboon proofing houses and not to grow vegetables and fruit outside of
enclosures.

Broken garages at the Naval flats in Da Gama Park should be fixed because the baboons are
climbing in through the openings to gain access to the bins.

Law enforcement and visibility of officials would be needed along the tourist routes over the
festive season to prevent tourists from feeding baboons.

Baboon proofing of the entrances, air vents and windows of the Navy flats in Da Gama Park is still
an urgent requirement.

People with outside bird aviaries should secure the bird food and keep the outside of the cages as
clean as possible to prevent it becoming a baboon attractant.

Waste management and the Security office kitchen, at SANAD (South African Naval Ammunition
Depot), should be baboon proofed, as this is attracting baboons into the facility.
South Western Region – Area Manager: Cath Shutte
1. Groot Olifantsbos Troop (GOB)
The Groot Olifantsbos (GOB) Troop remained within the Cape of Good Hope Reserve (CoGH) for the
duration of the month. During the previous reporting period (see HWS October 2015 Monthly Report)
the GOB Troop spent fourteen nights sleeping on the cliffs, between Scarborough and Misty Cliffs, with
the Misty Cliffs Troop. This change was driven by GOB7’s pursuit of the females in the Misty Cliffs
Troop.
It is, however, pleasing to note that even after spending fourteen consecutive nights outside the CoGH
Reserve that the GOB Troop has remained in the CoGH Reserve for the entire month.
HWS rangers continue to monitor the GOB Troop through the use of telemetry equipment, often picking
up a signal that the troop is deep within the reserve. This is a very pleasing result for all staff involved,
Page 10 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
as it means that the troop is foraging on indigenous fynbos vegetation and coastal organisms and not
being given the option to have access to human derived foods.
2. Misty Cliffs Troop (MC)
The Misty Cliffs Troop spent 23 nights roosting on the cliffs between Scarborough and Misty Cliffs and
nine nights roosting on the cliffs above Misty Cliffs. It is interesting to note that the troop spent two
nights sleeping at the Witsand sleep site, which they have not done since 10 April 2015. This sleep site
is preferable, as it is further from the urban area and there is access to both coastal and fynbos forage
for the troop.
Figure 9: Misty Cliffs Troop movement for the November reporting period. Due to the fact that the
Misty Cliffs 1 sleep site is situated on steep cliffs we are unable to show the tracks to the sleep site as
HWS rangers carry the data loggers.
From Figure 9 above, it can be seen that the Misty Cliffs Troop spent the majority of this month moving
between Scarborough and Misty Cliffs.
They concentrated their foraging activity in the fynbos
vegetation and along the coastline below their sleep site. It was very positive to see that the troop
moved as far as Kleinplaas Dam on 09 November. The troop spent the day foraging and grooming
alongside the dam.
The Misty Cliffs Troop endured a fair amount of turmoil over the previous month (see HWS October
Monthly Report). The GOB Troop’s alpha male, GOB 7, had been chasing the females around and
Page 11 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
attempting to kill their infants. He was trying to dominate them so that they would join the GOB Troop.
This has led to the females becoming increasingly afraid and has resulted in them seeking shelter in
Scarborough.
There has been an increase in individual baboon presence in Scarborough during this month. It is
however interesting to note that there were only 10 bin raids recorded. Out of the 35 day reporting
period, there were 27 days when no raids occurred, and were only seven raids in Scarborough and one
raid in Misty Cliffs. This low number of raids combined with an increased presence in town reiterates
the idea that the individual females are using Scarborough more as a place of refuge, rather than as a
feeding site.
HWS rangers are putting in a consistent effort to move the baboons out of the urban area, and into
more natural foraging grounds. However this is proving difficult for them, because some residents deny
them access to their gardens, therefore delaying the process. It is more beneficial for the troop to
forage in a natural area, to have limited contact with people and no access to human derived foods. For
HWS, this is the driving force to keep the troop out of the urban area.
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
SOUTH WEST
BABOON TROOP:
MONTH: November
Misty Cliffs
YEAR: 2015
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
BABOON ID
MC3 (Med Juvenile Male)
MC4 (Large Juvenile Male)
UnId females
Troop
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
M 2
F
2
2
1.2
2
Troop
Individuals
17.7 525
375
12.7
90
Roost:
Roost:
AM
PM
1
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
2
3
1.2
2
4
5
6
1
1
7
8
1.2
1.2
%
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
1
1
1
1
1 2 1
1 1
1
1 1
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
1
1
Roost Sites
1
1
450 580
45
235
1 1 1 1 2
1 1 1 2 2
1 Misty Cliffs 1
1
1
1
1
220
780 480
362 195 190
30
1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 2
2 Misty Cliffs 2
2
2
2
2
2 2 2 3
2 2 3 3
3 Witsand
3
1
1
1
1
1
1 1 1 1 5
1 1 1 5 1
4 CoGH Reserve
60
1
1
1
1
40 660 540
2 2 2
2 2 2
5 Other
2
1.5
1.5
1
TOTAL
3
5
10
9
HRS
56.83
40.78
ID Features of Baboons
General remarks
Figure 10: Misty Cliffs Troop raid sheet for November 2015.
3. Slangkop Troop
For the majority of this month (23 nights), the Slangkop Troop slept on the cliffs at the Compass Bakery
sleep site. For the remainder of the month, they slept in the pines behind Ocean View (10 nights) and
on the cliffs above Kommetjie on two occasions.
It was interesting to note the change in their sleep site preferences from the previous month (see HWS
October 2015 Monthly Report), where they only spent 14 nights on the cliffs at the Compass Bakery
Page 12 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
sleep site. The increase in temperature, as summer approaches, could be the determining factor in this
change because pressure decreases at higher elevations, and this causes the temperature to be cooler
on the top of a mountain than at sea level.
Similar to the previous month, the troop spent the majority of this month foraging in the natural
vegetation around the Rasta Camp and along the stream in the valley, which runs between the Compass
Bakery sleep site and Ocean View.
Figure 11: Slangkop Troop movement for the November 2015 reporting period.
The greatest number of individual raids can be attributed to SK6 and the females that sometimes
accompany him. It is however important to note that SK6 only raided bins on two occasions, on 23 and
24 November. The longest time SK6 spent in town also occurred on 23 November, when he was in
Ocean View for 13 minutes.
The Slangkop Troop, as a whole, only entered the urban area on three occasions, twice in Capri and
once in Kommetjie. The longest time occurred on 30 October when the troop spent 29 minutes in
Kommetjie before moving back up Slangkop Mountain. They spent the remainder of the day foraging
on indigenous fynbos and grooming.
Page 13 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
The HWS rangers have done an exceptional job this month at reducing the number of raids that
occurred. Out of a 35 day reporting period, there were only three raids reported (26 October, 23
November and 24 November), with one in Capri and two in Ocean View. No raids were reported for the
remaining 32 days.
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
SOUTH WEST
BABOON TROOP:
Slangkop
MONTH: November
YEAR: 2015
BABOON ID
DG6
SKF1
SKF2
SK6 (Sub-adult)
UnId female
Juveniles
Females
Troop
Troop
Individuals
Roost:
Roost:
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1
M
1
F
1
F
M
1
F
%
0.3
0.4
AM
PM
Roost Sites
2
1
1
10
10
29
10
2
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
3
4
5
6
7
8
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
3
2
2
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 5
1 Slangkop
5
5
7
5
2
2
3
3 3 2 3
3 2 3 3
2 Ocean View
3
3
3
3
3
2
8
2 3 2 2 3
3 2 2 3 3
3 Compass balery
19 8
3
3
3
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
4 Witsand
HRS
0.82
1.28
13 12
3
2
2
3
3
3
TOTAL
3
1
0
5
5
0
0
3
3 3 2 3
3 2 3 2
5 Kommetjie
2
2
ID Features of Baboons
Infant born 08 Nov
General remarks
Figure 12: Slangkop Troop raid sheet for October 2015
On 16 November, a fire broke out on the mountain above Ocean View. The fire moved in a north
easterly direction towards Ocean View. HWS field staff was alerted to the fire and moved the baboons
out of the valley between Ocean View and Imhoff’s Gift, away from the fire, and towards
Kompanjiestein. The troop was then held between the yellow lines by rangers until the fire was
extinguished at 16h30.
Page 14 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
North easterly
wind direction
Figure 13: Red shading indicating the area that was affected by the fire on 16 November 2015. The
troop was held safely between the yellow lines by HWS rangers.
Births and Deaths
1 birth was recorded in the Slangkop Troop on 8 November 2015.
No deaths were recorded.
Recommendations

Removal of Invasive Alien Vegetation: The patches of invasive alien vegetation situated above
Ocean View and below the Compass Bakery sleep site need to be removed in order to improve
management of the Slangkop Troop. This issue has been addressed with SANParks and is pending.
Northern Region – Area Manager: Robyn Khoury
1. Tokai Troop
During November the Tokai Troop foraged mainly in the upper sections of Tokai Plantation and in
Silvermine Reserve (Figure 14).
Page 15 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Figure 14: Data loggers indicating movements of rangers following the Tokai (yellow) and Zwaanswyk
(blue) Troop. Blue dots represent GPS coordinates of the Zwaanswyk Alpha male.
Single males of the Tokai Troop proved to be difficult to manage this month. TK40 and TK28 carried out
the majority of the raids (Figure 14).
TK40 ran from the troop several times this month. He raided unsecured bins at the Cape Academy and
Forest Glade Centre. These raids could have been prevented if the bins in these areas were baboonproofed (see recommendations).
The non-urban raids committed by TK40 occurred at Chrysalis
Academy, where TK40 entered the unoccupied kitchen or raided full and unsecured bins.
TK47 has also shown to be an opportunistic bin and kitchen raider at Chrysalis Academy this month.
TK47 was only tagged last month, so it’s likely that in previous reports he was one of the untagged
males that went raiding with the older males. Now that TK47 is tagged, HWS can keep a closer watch
on his raiding behaviour and focus more attention on this individual, especially when in the vicinity of
Chrysalis Academy.
TK40’s raiding behaviour came to an abrupt halt on 24 November 2015, when HWS rangers reported
that he appeared almost completely blind. Dr Dorothy Breed, the CapeNature appointed veterinarian,
came to assess TK40 the same day. A similar incident occurred the previous month, and TK40’s sight
returned within two days (see October 2015 Monthly Report), without veterinary intervention. Hence,
Dr Breed advised that HWS should monitor TK40’s movements over the following days, and if no
improvement was seen, she would then intervene.
Page 16 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
The following day TK40 appeared to have made no progress, and was still blind. During the day TK40
lost the troop and moved high up into the Constantiaberg Mountain. TK40 was then tracked with
telemetry for the following few days, because he was too high up the mountain to follow on foot.
TK40 was seen in Hout Bay on 28 November 2015. He was still blind and Dr Breed was called in to
intervene. TK40 was successfully darted that afternoon, and examined. It was found that he had a
large gash above his left eye, which was most-likely due to a baboon-on-baboon encounter. This had
severely damaged his optical nerve, which would not heal. TK40 was therefore euthanized for humane
reasons on 28 November 2015.
TK28 also raided significantly this month. TK28 has been gaining access into the Zwaanswyk Suburb and
raiding homes. Whenever the Tokai Troop was near Zwaanswyk, TK28 seized the opportunity by
evading the HWS rangers, jumping over the Steenberg Fence, and then jumping over the Zwaanswyk
Fence to gain access to the suburb.
The Zwaanswyk Fence was extended a few hundred meters eastwards to prevent this from happening.
However, because there are telephone poles with wooden supports that span both sides of this fence
extension, they provide easy access for baboons to enter Zwaanswyk over the fence (Figure 15). The
electric fence extension has therefore been unsuccessful in keeping TK28 out.
9 November 2015
Figure 15: Telephone poles over the Zwaanswyk Fence act as a ladder for baboons to hop over the
fence.
Page 17 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
It is very difficult for HWS rangers to prevent these raids. If TK28 manages to evade rangers and jumps
the Steenberg Fence (not baboon-proof), the rangers are unable to follow him. HWS rangers then need
either to go through Steenberg, or through Zwaanswyk Properties to catch up with TK28. By the time
they have moved around to do this TK28 has often managed to raid several homes.
HWS have informed The Zwaanswyk Association of Property Owners about the fence issues, and they
have requested that Steenberg Estate baboon-proof these telephone poles. In the meantime, HWS
rangers will be keeping a close eye on TK28 whenever the Tokai Troop goes near the Zwaanswyk side to
try and prevent these raids.
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
NORTH
BABOON TROOP:
MONTH: November
BABOON ID
TK28 (B-G)
TK 16 (W-W)
TK40 (P-Y) VHF Collar
TK 47 (White)
TK 48 (Red)
MT3 (Pu-B)
Uni Male
Unid SA Male
Uni Female
Uni Juve
Tokai Troop
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
Tokai
YEAR: 2015
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
2
M
2
M
2
2 5
M
2
2
M
M
M
M
F
Troop
Individuals
%
0.0
1.8
Roost:
Roost:
AM
PM
1
2
6
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
3
6
4
5
6 7
6,6 6,6
8
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
6,6,6
6
6
6
2
1
2
2,2 2,2
2,2,2
2 2 5
2
6
TOTAL
13
3
15
3
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
20
5
1
Roost Sites
1
1
20 25
1 1 1 1 11 5 12 1 1 4 1
1 1 1 11 5 12 1 1 4 1 1
1 Tea Garden
2 Level 1 ZWK gums
7 Picnic 1
8 Picnic 2
13
14
35 30
20 45 15 100
35
1
1
3
1
2
1
1 2 5 11 11
2 5 11 11 3
3 Level 2 stream
9 Middle Plantation
15
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2
4 Lev 4 Pines
10 Chrysalis
16
140 35 20
1 11 11 2 1 2 3
11 11 2 1 2 3 11
5 Upper Tea Garden
11 Silvermine pines
17
HRS
0.00
5.75
30
11 11 1
11 1 1
6 Manor House
12 Other
18
ID Features of Baboons
General remarks
Bold italics indicate raids in non-urban areas
Figure 16: November Raid sheet for the Tokai Troop
2. Zwaanswyk Troop
As usual for the Zwaanswyk Troop, they have foraged and moved with the Tokai Troop for the majority
of the month (Figure 14 above), moving between the lower plantations and Silvermine Reserve.
The Zwaanswyk Troop have also been exploring higher elevations and moving further than we have
ever seen them move before. As can be seen from MT2’s GPS collar points (Figure 14).
During this month an untagged female with noteworthy hair loss was reported in the Zwaanswyk Troop.
This was most likely caused by Sarcoptic Mange. Sarcoptic Mange is a mammalian parasitic skin disease
caused by mites. Baboons usually self-regulate such parasites, however occasionally it becomes more
Page 18 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
severe and can result in extensive hair loss. Dr Dorothy Breed treated the female with an anti-parasitic
drug, and her progress will be monitored in the following weeks to see if her condition improves.
There were no raids, urban or non-urban, from the Zwaanswyk Troop during November.
3. Constantia Troop
The CT1 and CT2 Troops behaved in a manner similar to the Tokai and Zwaanswyk Troops, in that they
slept separately every night, but still moved together very regularly, especially when above
Buitenverwachting.
The most popular sleep sites for the CT1 and CT2 troops were the
Buitenverwachting Gums, the Bike Trail Gums and the Upper Gums (refer to Figure 18 and 20 below).
When the CT1 troop slept at the Upper Gums, the Klein Constantia rangers moved the troop north and
off the farm. The CT1 troop would then forage in the stream vegetation between Klein Constantia and
Price Drive, while HWS rangers held the Price Drive line.
The CT1 Troop also spent some time on Groot Constantia this month. The baboons got under the Groot
Constantia fence through several large porcupine holes. When in Groot Constantia, they went straight
to the Castle vegetation, which was one of their favourite sites when they lived on Groot Constantia.
Figure 17: Tracks showing HWS ranger movements when they were following the CT1 (yellow) and CT2
(blue) Troops.
Page 19 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Some CT1 Troop males also moved very high up into the saddle between Vlakkenberg and
Constantiaberg (Figure 18). Here they were blocked from moving too close to Hout Bay, to prevent any
raiding attempts.
22 November 2015
Figure 18: CT1 Troop male foraging on vegetation in the saddle between Vlakkenberg and
Constantiaberg.
There was only one raid this month, by an untagged male in the CT1 Troop (Figure 20). This male
entered Price Drive and raided an occupied house. CON7 also left the troop and entered the urban area
on the 19 November 2015 however, no raiding was recorded in this instance.
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
NORTH
BABOON TROOP:
MONTH: November
BABOON ID
TK33 (R-O)
CON1 (untagged)
CON2 (B-O)
CON3 (G)
CON4 (B)
CON5 (G-G)
CON6 (O) Collar
CON7 (P-G)
MT1 (G-W)
Untagged M
SA Male
Uni Female
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
CT1 & CT2
YEAR: 2015
Sex 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
F
%
Troop
Individuals
Roost:
Roost:
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
1
2
3
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
7
8
9
Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
Nocturnal Raiding
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
1
6
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
TOTAL
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
HRS
0.0
0.00
20
0.1
AM 1+3 1+3 1+6
PM 1+3 1+6 3+6
1
Roost Sites
7
3+6 3+6 3+6 3+7 3+6 3+6 6 6 3+6 3+6 1+6 1+6 1+9 1+9 1+9 3+9 3+9 1+9 8+6 8+9 8+9 1+9 1+9
3+6 3+6 3+7 3+6 3+6 6 6 3+6 3+6 1+6 1+6 1+9 1+9 1+9 3+9 3+9 1+9 8+6 8+9 8+9 1+9 1+9 8+?
Upper Gums
2 Lower Gums
3 Bike Trail Gums
4 Middle Plantation KC
Block 10 gums
8 Castle Gums
9 Other
10
15
0.33
8+? 8+? 1+? 8+? 1+6 1+4 1+4 3+4 1+3
8+? 1+? 8+? 1+6 1+4 1+4 3+4 1+3 3+4
5 McKenzies
6 Buiten Gums
11
12
ID Features of Baboons
General remarks
TK 41 introduced to CT 1 on Groot after being returned from Plato road, 18/11
CON 4 seen back in CT 1 14/11 by me. 2 newborns spotted 14/11 in CT 1 by me, 1 confirmed being male.
Sizwe confirmed CON 7 in urban area, not CON 5 as reported, 19/11.
Figure 19: Raid sheet for the CT1 and CT2 Troop for November 2015.
Page 20 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
The construction of the Buitenverwachting and Klein Constantia fences continued this month, and both
should be fully operational by mid-December.
4. Mountain Troop
The Mountain Troop has continued to move further south this month, and is utilizing much of Tokai
Plantation. The troop has also been using the lower levels however, HWS rangers have not allowed the
troop to spend much time around Porter Estate, because this is full of raiding opportunities and it is not
desirable that the troop learn to forage for humane derived foods in new areas close to the urban edge.
An event this month, which kept HWS rangers busy, was the dispersal of TK41. TK41 joined the
Mountain Troop as a beta male in July 2015, and seemed to be settled in this troop. However,
surprisingly, TK41 dispersed from the Mountain Troop on 3 November 2015 at approximately 9am.
TK41 moved south at an incredibly fast pace, and made it all the way to Ottery by 3pm that afternoon,
with HWS managers tracking him all the way.
TK41 then turned around and moved back to Plumstead in the evening on 3 November 2015. Here, he
slept on a roof of a block of flats. The following morning TK41 was darted by Dr Breed, and taken to the
Westlake holding facility.
The following day TK41 was radio-collared, thoroughly examined, and translocated to Plateau Road in
the hope that he would join the Plateau Road Troop as a dispersing male. Unfortunately, TK41 was
totally rejected by the resident, but natal, alpha male of the Plateau Road Troop. TK41 therefore
avoided the Plateau Road Troop and started to raid the farms along Plateau Road. A week later TK41
was recaptured and brought back to the Westlake holding facility.
To give TK41 a final chance to settle, he was released in Constantia, in the hope that he would join one
of the Constantia Troops, or go back to the Mountain Troop. Unfortunately, TK41 refused to even go
back up the mountain and spent three days frequently raiding the urban edge and residences on Groot
Constantia.
Following the dispersing male protocol, TK41 was euthanized on the 23 November 2015 after the Wild
Animal Advisory Committee (WAAC) approval was granted.
Page 21 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
HWS: TROOP MONTHLY REPORT
SECTOR
NORTH
BABOON TROOP:
MONTH: November
BABOON ID
TK3 (W-B)
TK36 (R-Purp) collar
TK41 (Sing P)
Sex
M
M
M
Troop
Individuals
%
0.0
15.9
Roost:
Roost:
AM
PM
Roost Sites
CLASSES OF BEHAVIOUR
MOUNTAIN
YEAR: 2015
1 In urban area
2 Raid bins
3 Non malicious damage
24 25 26 28 29 30 31
1
2
2
3
4 Attacking pets
5 Raid unoccupied house or vehicle
6 Raid occupied house or vehicle
4
5
6
7
8
9
7 Threatening behaviour/attack/stealing food
8 Breaking & Entering/Damaging property
9 Nocturnal Raiding
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
1+2 1
1
1
1
1
TOTAL
0
0
8
TIME SPENT IN TOWN (Minutes)
10
3
3
3
3
3 2 3 3 2 ?
2 3 3 2 ? 1
1 Veels-te-ver stores
900 540
1 2 ? ? 2 1
2 ? ? 2 1 ?
2 Veels-te-ver reservoir
HRS
0.00
51.17
540 360 720 630
? 2 1 2 ? ?
2 1 2 ? ? 3
3 Veels-te-ver kramat
3
?
4
?
6
6 1 ?
1 ? ?
Buiten gums
?
?
? ? ? 3
? ? 3 ?
5 Block 10
?
?
?
?
?
?
? ?
? ?
6 Other
ID Features of Baboons
General remarks
TK 41 dispersed again from GT, 03/11/15.
TK 41 was relocated to Plateaux road after his capture in Ottery.
TK 41 introduced to CT 1 after relocation from Plato road, 18/11. TK 41 euthanized 24/11.
Figure 20: Raid sheet for the Mountain Troop for November 2015.
Births and Deaths
Two new-borns were reported this month. One in Tokai, and one in Constantia.
TK40, from the Tokai Troop, was euthanized for humane reasons after becoming almost completely
blind following a baboon-on-baboon altercation. TK41, from the Mountain Troop, was euthanized in
terms of the dispersing male protocol.
Recommendations

The Cape Academy should baboon-proof all bins by attaching clips to the bins. These should be
used correctly by all staff and students, and emptied regularly.

Forest Glade Centre should ensure all bins in their waste facility are baboon-proof and emptied
regularly. This will prevent males becoming accustomed to this area as a reliable food source.

Steenberg Estate are requested to baboon-proof the telephone poles next to the Zwaanswyk
Fence, with razor wire or an electric apron, to prevent these being used as access points for raiding
baboons.
C.
GENERAL COMMENTS ON ALL BABOON TROOPS
Population Data
During November there were four births and two deaths recorded, so the managed population grew by
two, taking the total to 388. This represents an increase for the year of only 8 baboons, all of which
were in the south. The northern population would also have grown, were it not for the Cape Fire in
March during which 13 baboons from the Tokai (12) and Zwaanswyk (1) Troops died.
Page 22 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
TROOP
Da Gama Troop
Smitswinkel Bay
Waterfall
Groot Olifantsbos
Misty Cliffs
Slangkop
SUB TOTAL
Zwaanswyk
Tokai
Mountain
Constantia 1 & 2
SUB TOTAL
TOTAL
Total Dec Total Dec Total Dec
2012
2013
2014
54
45
43
23
21
22
28
30
30
19
13
17
18
16
14
33
32
36
175
157
162
25
26
28
61
65
72
33
44
48
60
63
70
179
198
218
354
355
380
Nov
Births
1
Nov
Nov Emigration/
Deaths
Immigration
1
2
0
1
0
1
1
1
2
4
2
2
0
0
Total
Births
2015
9
3
3
0
6
5
26
7
8
6
12
33
59
Total
Deaths
2015
5
1
3
1
9
2
21
6
19
0
5
30
51
Emigration/
TOTAL
Immigration
CURRENT
POPULATION
2015
+2
49
-1
23
+2
32
+2
18
-2
9
39
170
29
59
55
75
218
388
3
-2
+1
-2
-3
0
Table 1: Population data for the ten managed troops on the Cape Peninsula.
With only one month to go before the end of the year, it is pertinent to comment on the distribution of
baboon deaths over the past year (Table 2). The most notable statistic, is that there have now been
eight management protocol deaths so far this year. This is half that of 2012 and 2013, and much the
same as that for 2014 (7). In other words, for the past two years the number of management deaths
has halved and seems to have reached a stable level. This suggests that current management strategies
are working.
It is hoped that as the baboon troops are kept increasingly out of town, the baboons will be tempted
less and less to raid town and so the need to exercise the raiding baboon protocol will decline.
Unfortunately it is evident that many young males seem to remember what their fathers’ did in their
youth, and some attempt to resume those old ways as they reach puberty. It is HWS’ challenge to curb
this raiding behaviour as soon it becomes apparent, and therefore remove the need to exercise the
protocol on these young males as they reach adulthood.
Deaths
2012*
2013
2014
November 2015
2015 to Date
16 (6)
17
7
1
8
3
5
10
0
6
Natural
6 (1)
33
19
1
36
TOTAL
25
55
36
2
50
Management
Human Induced
Table 2: Causes of baboon deaths since 2012. (*Portion of total collected prior to HWS taking over
baboon management in August 2012, is included in brackets).
Page 23 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Hotline Data
There were relatively few raid related hotline calls coming from managed areas this month. Most of
these calls (38) came in response to just a few raiding or dispersing individuals. In Tokai most of the
calls came in response to two adult males TK28 and TK40. TK40 seems to have been rejected by the
troop, which was probably why he was in the urban area so much. He was later euthanased for humane
reasons after sustaining a deep cut on his forehead which cut his optic nerve, leaving him almost
completely blind.
The hotline calls from Simonstown came in response to raids by TK19, TK42 and WFF4. TK42 is now
firmly established as the alpha male of the troop, which has now settled down to living in the fynbos
above SANAD. Although the Misty Cliffs Troop spent much more time in town (17.7%) than any other
troop, there were still relatively few hotline calls (10), and no assertive raids. All hotline calls were
simply reporting baboons in town or raiding bins.
Hotline Calls November 2015
Total Calls = 83
Raids in Managed Areas = 57
60
50
Calls
40
30
24
17
20
11
10
10
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
6
4
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
Figure 21: Hotline calls summary per urban area
It is again pleasing to note that most hotline calls (84%) were simply reporting baboons in town. As
usual, assertive raids were the next highest category of raids. This is not surprising because this type of
raid causes the most stress and is therefore most likely to be reported. Virtually all calls reporting raids
of occupied houses were in response to TK28 raiding in Zwaanswyk. TK28 is the grandfather of the
Page 24 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Tokai Troop and not an aggressive male. It is hoped that by securing the telephone poles over the
Zwaanswyk electric fence, most of this raiding behaviour will be prevented.
Hotline Calls November 2015
Raid Related Calls in Managed Areas = 57
3.5%
1.8%
10.5%
In Urban Area
Bin Raid
Raid Unoccupied House
Raid Occupied House
84.2%
Figure 22: Composition of raid-related hotline calls
◙
Figure 23: Percentage time troops spent out of town, solid line indicates the CoCT’s 2014 contract
requirement and the broken line indicates the 2012 contract requirement.
Page 25 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
Percentage Time out of Town
At first glance, the percentage time the baboon troops spent out of town is disappointingly low (98.2%)
for this time of year, when there is so much food available in the fynbos. However, a second look shows
that, with the exception of the Misty Cliffs Troop, which spent only 82.7% of their time out of town, the
remaining troops averaged 99.97% of their time out of town. This would definitely be a record for HWS
were it not for the behaviour of the now much reduced Misty Cliffs Troop, which, without their three
young babies, would number only six individuals (four adult females and two juvenile males).
Conclusion
The report this month contains information of a very varied nature. One the one hand, most of the
baboons were very well behaved, foraged extensively in the fynbos and, with the exception of the Misty
Cliffs Troop, stayed out of town for 99.97% of the time. Most of the raiding behaviour this month was
done by just a few individuals, two of which had to be euthanased. One male, TK40, was raiding
extensively, most probably because he was being chased out of the troop. He eventually suffered a
serious baboon-on-baboon injury to his optic nerve and went blind, so was euthanased for humane
reasons.
Another dispersing baboon, TK 41, was raiding extensively but was also rejected by each troop he tried
to join, so he was euthanased according to the dispersing male protocol with WAAC approval.
The Misty Cliffs Troop is an entirely different situation that needs serious consideration. This troop lost
its alpha male, KOB1, through electrocution on a powerline on 29 April 2015, and since then has been
without an adult or even sub-adult male in the troop. This situation was exacerbated in October when
GOB7 brought the GOB Troop across to Misty Cliffs while he courted and mated with two oestrous
females in that troop. During this time he periodically tried to kill the three young babies in the troop.
As a result of this the mothers would run away from him and seek refuge in Scarborough.
After two weeks the GOB Troop returned to the CoGH Nature Reserve, taking the two oestrous females
back with it. This left the troop with only nine individuals; three females and their babies, one pregnant
female, and two juvenile males. Since then these females have been very reluctant to move far away
from Scarborough, which they seem to regard as their safe haven. Despite this, they seldom raid (only
10 Scarborough hotline calls), but rather creep around town trying not to be observed.
Over the past three years, the Misty Cliffs Troop population has halved from 18 individuals down to
nine. The most feasible solution for the survival of this troop would be to join the GOB Troop and to live
primarily in the CoGH Reserve, as opposed to seeking refuge in Scarborough (where they could still be
Page 26 of 27
HWS November 2015 Draft Monthly Report
attacked by dogs, poisoned or shot). At present this reunification of the troops is being prevented by
the females, which are scared of GOB7 attacking their babies.
Another stumbling block is the difficulty of keeping the Misty Cliffs Troop in the CoGH Reserve. This task
would be greatly facilitated if the Scarborough game fence between it and the CoGH Reserve was
electrified.
HWS has drawn up a detailed proposal with all the advantages and costs for the
electrification of this fence, and submitted it to the Misty Cliffs and Scarborough Communities at a
meeting, and in writing. The Misty Cliffs community has already voted in favour and agreed to pay their
proportional costs, but the Scarborough Community has yet to respond.
Dr Phil Richardson
Human Wildlife Solutions
Page 27 of 27